Clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in children at the Institute for Pulmonary Diseases in Children-Skopje

The aim of the paper was to evaluate clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in children and the success of the treatment. Material and methods: The study included 218 pediatric patients suspected for COVID-19 hospitalized at the Institute for Pulmonary Diseases in Children-Skopje, during the period from 16th of March to 19th of June 2020. All patients were tested for presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus in nasopharyngeal swab with real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in the Institute of Public Health of Republic of North Macedonia. Clinical symptoms, X-ray and laboratory findings were included in the study. Results: From 218 hospitalized patients, only 9 (4.13%) were positive for COVID-19 and 59% of them were males. Infants, with moderate pulmonary disease were 44.4% of the patients. Fever and gastrointestinal symptoms were present in 66.6% and 22.2% of the children, respectively. Macrolides were therapy of choice in 88% of the treated patients, 77% received intravenous therapy, 33% were on inhaled bronchodilator. Conclusions: A small number of children had COVID-19. All infected children were with mild to moderate pulmonary symptoms and reacted satisfactory to the treatment. However, the importance of transmitting the virus and influence over children’s health remains uncertain.